Day 02: Negombo – Dambulla
After breakfast at the hotel, leave for Habarana via Dambulla
Approx. 4hrs drive to Dambulla
Dambulla Cave Temple - 92 miles from Colombo. Dambulla is famous for the five cave Temples on a rock. The first 03 caves are better, older and larger than the other two. Some caves dates to 1st C.B.C. All the 5 cave walls and ceilings are covered with Buddhist murals and there are more than 130 Buddha statues, statues of Gods and Kings are also found here.
Thereafter transfer to hotel
Dinner & Overnight stay at Jetwing Lake Dambulla - / or similar
Day 03: Dambulla – Minneriya National Park – Dambulla
Breakfast at hotel
Afternoon transfer to Minneriya National Park.
Enjoy a 4 X 4 jeep safari at the Minneriya National Park. (04hrs)
Minneriya National Park – This National Park 8889 hectares in extent is famous for its large population of Elephants in herds of 100 to 150 roaming in the jungle and seen in the catchment area of the lake. Entrance is at Ambagaswewa about 6 km from Habarana on the main Habarana Polonnaruwa road. Office is by the side of the main road. Elephants, about 300 wild Elephants, Wild Buffaloes, Wild Boar, Spotted Deer, Sloth Bear, Sambhur, Crocodiles, Jackals, 9 kinds of amphibians, 25 kinds of reptiles, 160 species of birds.
Return back to the hotel
Dinner & Overnight stay at Jetwing Lake Dambulla - / or similar
Day 04: Habarana – Sigiriya – Matale – Kandy
After breakfast at the hotel visit Sigiriya Rock Fortress
Sigiriya Rock Fortress – is a “World Heritage Site” and the 5th Century “Fortress in the Sky” which is perhaps the most fantastic single wonder of the Island. It is also known as Lion Rock because of the huge lion that used to stand at the entrance to the Palace on the summit of the 600-foot high rock. On its summit are the foundations of the Royal Palace, Water Tanks to supply water and all other buildings and at the edges the guardhouses. On one of the stairways the only known ancient work of Sinhala secular painting survived in the form of Frescoes of 21 life sized damsels in all the freshness and delicacy of their original colour. The Water Gardens, Fountain Garden, summerhouse, Boulder Gardens and the Caves with the enclosed are should not be missed.
Thereafter travel to Kandy en-route visit Matale spice Garden (03hrs)
Spice Gardens at Matale – You will see many spice gardens at Matale and in Mawanella on the Colombo-Kandy road where Cinnamon, Cardamom, Pepper Creepers and all other spice trees, plants and creepers are planted for visitors to see them. Spice products are also available for those who would like to buy them. At all Spice Gardens visitors are taken round explaining each tree and plant and at the end explaining the use of them food preparations. Evening visit Kandy temple of tooth relic Temple of the Tooth Relic, which houses the Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha, is an important landmark in Kandy. The Tooth is kept in a twostorey shrine fronted by two large elephant tusks and rests on a gold lotus flower, encased in jewelled casket that sits on a throne. The temple is decorated with beautiful local paintings and architectural features.
Check-in to hotel
Dinner & Overnight stay at Cinnamon Citadel Kandy - or similar
Day 05: Kandy – Peradeniya – Kandy
After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to Kandy city & enjoy a local Cooking Demonstration
Delicious Cookery Demonstration - It's time to cook! The cooking class will be led by a local cooking expert that knows all the secrets to a good Sri Lankan dish. He/She will explain us how the preparing of dishes in Sri Lanka works and teach us how to cook rice and curry. We will prepare a typical meal with 2/3 curries, and there are many to choose from. Some of the favorite Sri Lankan curries are: dhal curry, potato curry, chicken curry, eggplant curry, Fish Curry and so many more… After the cooking is done we will have time to enjoy our meal!
Thereafter transfer to Peradeniya
Royal Botanical Gardens – 147 acres in extent; Started in 1374 as a pleasure garden of the Kings of Gampola and Kandy. There are more than 5,000 species of trees, plants and creepers. Some rare and endemic as well as flora from the tropical world are found in the gardens. Spice Garden and Orchid House are popular with tourists. There are 5 Palm Avenues beautifying the gardens, the earliest and tallest Palm Avenue (Royal Palm Avenue) was planted in 1905 and the Double Coconuts from the Seashells Island, with the largest seed of all plants in the world is one such avenue.
Return to hotel
Dinner & Overnight stay at Cinnamon Citadel Kandy - or similar